Saalfelden Leogang challenges the world's best downhillers next weekend

For the eighth time, the Mercedes-Benz UCI Mountain Bike Downhill World Cup will be sending the world's best riders to the Pinzgau tracks.
The Bikepark Leogang will once again be the playground for the world's best downhillers from 7 to 10 June. After the World Cup stops in Lošinj (Croatia) and Fort William (Great Britain), the third of seven stops in the Mercedes-Benz UCI Mountain Bike Downhill World Cup awaits in Pinzgau. The elite riders face the challenge of the "Speedster". Nomen est Omen" applies here. The 2.3-kilometre-long and demanding terrain sends the downhillers at high speed over rough root carpets, through tight hairpin bends and in a fall line over steep sections. The wide range of downhill skills is therefore required - riding technique, strength, experience and the necessary amount of overcoming to succeed in the World Cup in Saalfelden Leogang.

Fast, faster, Aaron Gwin: 62.7 km/h top speed on the "Speedster"

Qualities that also characterise last year's winner Aaron Gwin, among others. The American has been shaking up the downhill scene for years and has already made his mark in the history books in Leogang. In 2014, he contested half of the race on the rim, the following year he took victory without a chain. Gwin was also at the top of the Asitz in 2016, and in 2017 an incredible top speed of 62.7 km/h on the "Speedster" gave him the hat-trick. It remains to be seen whether he will be at the top again this year and add another historic chapter to the Mercedes-Benz UCI Mountain Bike Downhill World Cup in Leogang. After Gwin was able to celebrate at the season opener in Lošinj, he spectacularly went over the handlebars last weekend after setting the fastest intermediate time - in the end, 20th place remained and the opportunity to make amends in Leogang. In Fort William, however, new faces were beaming with victory: Frenchman Amaury Pierron celebrated his first World Cup win ahead of Loris Vergier and Troy Brosnan.

Local downhill racer raises hopes of a top placing

The local downhillers also want to have a say in the top rankings, especially 16-year-old Valentina "Vali" Höll from Pinzgau, who also outclassed the competition in the junior category last weekend in Fort William and celebrated her second World Cup victory in a row with the fourth fastest time in the elite women's category. Styrian David Trummer, who struggled with technical problems in Fort William and didn't make it past the qualifying stage in 65th place, is hoping to make up for his slip-up last year. In Leogang, the Styrian is hoping to make amends in two ways: "Last year, I made a mistake right before the long straight - there would certainly have been more than 24th place possible. Now my declared goal is to definitely finish in the top 20. I haven't managed that here yet. It would suit me, because the atmosphere in Leogang when you've had a good run to the finish is simply brilliant." Andreas Kolb had a huge misfortune: in Lošinj, the 22-year-old finished in 20th place, but in Great Britain the Styrian broke his collarbone in training last weekend, underwent successful surgery today and will have to take a break for the next few weeks.

Out of Bounds Festival provides a fitting setting with side events

Whoever ends up at the top of the podium in Leogang - a bike festival is guaranteed in any case. Once again this year, thousands of spectators will line the route and whip the riders to the front. The Mercedes-Benz UCI Mountain Bike Downhill World Cup in Saalfelden Leogang will be framed by the Out of Bounds Festival, which will take place from 7 to 10 June. The audience can look forward to a timetable that's really something. In addition to side events for everyone, such as the "Hogmoa Team Challenge" and the Kids PumpTrack Challenge, there will also be a freestyle motocross show, an open-air concert and a large team and expo area.

For all those who can't make it to Leogang, the Mercedes-Benz UCI Mountain Bike Downhill World Cup in Leogang will be available live and as video-on-demand free of charge at www.redbull.tv/uci/deutsch on the Red Bull TV BIKE Channel: redbull.tv/bike. The Mercedes-Benz UCI Mountain Bike Downhill World Cup in Leogang will also be broadcast live on Servus TV.